An innovative new partnership project between Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) and Perthshire-based Equimotional accredited coach Minds and Manes was recognised in the Scottish Parliament recently.

The Steady Strides project is a new initiative that aims to provide children and teenagers with an opportunity to improve their confidence, self-esteem and emotional regulation through spending hands-on time with ponies.

Attendees will work with the ponies, building skills and confidence © PKCT

Claire Baker MSP, the Scottish Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife (Region), lodged a Parliamentary Motion acknowledging the hard work of the Trust, celebrating its recent award from the National Lottery Community Fund for the new project and recognising the positive impact the project aims to have for local children and young people.

Steady Strides was awarded £4,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK.

The grant will fund six sessions for 12 young people in the spring and summer this year, with fully funded places available for partner organisations involved in the project and members of the public.

Catherine Leatherland is PKCT’s Discovery, Learning and Engagement Officer. She said:

We’re delighted and very grateful that the Scottish Parliament and The National Lottery Community Fund have recognised our work in this way.

 This is an exciting new project for PKCT's discovery, learning and engagement work and thanks to National Lottery players, we are able to offer this wonderful opportunity to a group of young people which – in line with The National Lottery Community Fund aims - will bring people together, help children and young people thrive and support them to live healthier lives.

Spending time outdoors and appreciating nature can have a positive impact on both our physical and mental health and wellbeing and PKCT and Minds and Manes can’t wait to see the benefits that this new project has for young people in Perth and Kinross.